A WARTIME CHRISTMAS: HOW MALTA CELEBRATED IN 1942

Before the Worst: Christmas 1940

Although World War II started in 1939, Malta didn’t feel its full impact until June 1940, when Italy declared war on Britain. Bombs soon began to rain down on the island, and life changed drastically: curfews were introduced, lights had to be turned off at night, and people learned to live with fear. Still, that first wartime Christmas in 1940 was surprisingly peaceful with no bombings taking place. Christmas (midnight!) Mass was held at 4pm because it was too dangerous to gather after dark, but people stayed positive. Rationing hadn’t yet begun, and families cooked whatever they could. One teenage diary mentions timpana (baked macaroni) with corned beef, wine from Imġarr, and a trifle for dessert. For high tea the same family ate sandwiches, meringue and trifle. Not a bad Christmas under the circumstances!

Officers in the armed forces sat down to a decidedly grander festive meal. The luncheon kicked off with a cream of tomato soup, followed by a choice of; roast turkey with bread sauce, or roast pork with apple sauce, accompanied by roast potatoes, cauliflower, peas and white sauce. Dessert was Christmas pudding and brandy sauce followed by mixed fruit and nuts. Beer, minerals and cigarettes rounded off the menu.

The Siege Tightens: Christmas 1941

By 1941 things were getting worse. The German Luftwaffe joined the Italian Regia Aeronautica in bombing the island, and the number of air raids soared and Christmas was not spared.  In fact, Upper Barrakka Gardens were badly damaged in a raid which occurred on Christmas eve. It became harder for ships carrying supplies to reach Malta, and rationing began: sugar, coffee, matches, milk, soap, and other basics became scarce. Even so, the Maltese spirit didn’t break. Most families were simply grateful to be alive.

People decorated air-raid shelters with homemade Christmas decorations. Cakes were baked using whatever ingredients could be found, sometimes just flour, lard, and orange peel. For many children, this was their first experience of a ‘Christmas cake.’ Meanwhile Christmas was business as usual with a five-course meal, for officers in the armed forces.  Cream of tomato soup, this time accompanied with bread cubes, was served for starters once again, followed by a ‘savoury’ consisting of sardines on toast. A choice of roast turkey, pork or beef, along with apple sauce and stuffing was served as mains. Vegetables featured roast potatoes, mash potatoes, green peas, cabbage and white onion sauce. For dessert there was Christmas pudding and brandy sauce or tinned fruit and cream alongside mixed fruit and nuts. Yet again, beer, minerals and cigarettes complemented the meal.

Fancy dress football match at ta’ Qali

Despite the risk of air raids, the officers entered into the Christmas spirit with a lively fancy dress football match held ta’ Qali. Regent’s cinema in Valletta remained open during the festive season, screening the black and white movie ‘Arise My Love’. However, a year later the movie theatre was reduced to rubble in a direct hit.

Regent’s Cinema Valletta reduced to rubble

If 1941 was difficult, 1942 was catastrophic.

The number of air-raid alarms reached over 3,000 that year, 182 bombings in April alone. Valletta’s Royal Opera House, the Auberge de France, the Law Courts, churches, the Grand Master’s Palace, and thousands of homes were destroyed. Food was running out. Even tomato paste became a luxury. Yet Malta’s bravery did not go unnoticed. King George VI awarded the island the George Cross, one of the highest awards for courage. It symbolised the strength and determination of Malta’s people during the siege.

RAF pilot Stanley, whose story appears in the video, explains what that year felt like: the hunger, the constant danger, and the loneliness of being far from home. But even in the worst times, the soldiers and civilians tried hard to keep Christmas alive.  Christina Ratcliffe and her troupe put up a Christmas panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at the Manoel Theatre offering a welcome escape from the constant fear outside. The RAF Pilots of Kalafrana continued to enjoy their usual Christmas meal. This time there was salmon on the menu, cheese, biscuits and mince pies. Roast turkey, however, does not make an appearance, and the pilots could not exactly be sure what kind of meat they were eating. At 7.30pm an air-raid alert was sounded, and the pilots had to finish their meal in the shelter.

Yet civilians, had it much harder.  They had to face shortages of key ingredients such as potatoes, flour, eggs and had to improvise with whatever they could get their hands on, such as dried eggs and powdered milk.  As a small ‘Christmas gift,’ each household received extra beans and candles. It wasn’t much, but during the siege, it meant a lot.

Finally, Some Hope: 1943 and Beyond

By early 1943, Malta’s situation began to improve. More convoys made it through with food and supplies. The number of air raids dropped dramatically, from hundreds a month to just 25 in January 1943. Soon after, Malta became the launchpad for the Allied invasion of Sicily, helping turn the tide of the war. The Maltese celebrated when they heard of Mussolini’s downfall later that year. Even King George VI, President Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill visited Malta to thank the island for its bravery. Christmas 1943 was still simple, but at least people felt safe. For the first time in years, there was real hope. Christmas during the war was never about massive meals or gifts. It was about family, survival, and the belief that better days were coming. And they did.

Gift for Mussolini as a souvenir for a good Christmas